Nipple for nursing bottles



May 31, 1955 w. G. PANGo'AsT NIPPLE FOR NURSING BOTTLES Filed July 18, 1952 ,217 V511?. Fmr f zdf/alam Pa ncoas NlPPlLE FOR NURSING BOTTLES William G. Pancoast, Evanston, lll.

Application July 18, 1952, Serial No. 299,530

S Claims. (Cl. 12S-252) This invention relates to improvements in a nipple for nursing bottles, and more particularly to a flexible nipple made of rubber or equivalent material which may be attached to a nursing bottle for infant feeding, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. y

ln the past, many and various types of nipples for nursing bottles have been developed, but have proven objectionable for various reasons, namely because they would collapse or bend While in the childs mouth in such a manner as to block the flow of liquid therethrough. Frequently formerly known nipples required the careful holding of the bottle and nipple in a fixed position so that the child could properly nurse, and could not be propped in position. Further, nipples heretofore utilized in many instances did not conform properly to the childs mouth causing the mouth to be twisted, the child to struggle, fail to get the proper nourishment, become excited, and in general the ultimate result was improper feeding and improper digestion.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a nipple so constructed that the nipple, while the feeding end is in the childs mouth, has an action akin to that of a universal joint without blocking the ow of liquid.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a nipple that is movable through every possible angle while remaining in the childs mouth, without constriction or without blocking the flow of liquid through the nipple.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide a nipple which conforms at all times to the childs mouth regardless of movement of the child while the nipple remains in the mouth.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a nipple of such a character that the bottle on f which the nipple is mounted may readily be held during the feeding operation, or propped into position for that purpose.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a nipple of the character set forth herein that is readily usable on either a small mouth or a large mouth bottle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a nipple having a vent rib thereon extending over both the outside and the inside of the nipple flange so as to effect proper venting of the bottle during feeding whether the bottle is of the small mouth or the large mouth style.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a nipple having a body portion that is externally shouldered or ribbed to cause the body portion of the nipple to bend,

I nite States atent rather than the part in the childs mouth, and yet the nipple is smooth on the inside so as to leave no shoulder or groove for the breeding of bacteria, and so as to render the nipple very easily and thoroughly cleansed. Y

Still a further object of the invention resides in a nipple having a vent rib on the ange thereof, and equalizing ribs on the very edge of the flange therearound so as to rice facilitate the proper disposition of the nipple in a cap for a large mouth bottle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a nipple so constructed as to have annular lines of weakness in the body portion beyond the part engageable in the mouth, so that the nipple will bend in that body portion, or partially collapse in that portion, all in a mannervthat cannot effect a blockage of liquid flow through the nipple.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a side elevational view of a wide mouth bottle equipped with a nipple embodying principles ot' the instant invention;

Figure Z is a fragmentary enlargement of the upper portion of the structure of Fig. l, illustrating in dotted lines the exibility of the nipple;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary central vertical sectionalview illustrating the nipple associated with a small mouth bottle;

Figure 4 is also a fragmentary central vertical sectional View illustrating the nipple associated with a large or wide mouth bottle; and

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the nipple alone.

As shown on the drawings: t

In the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, there is shown a nipple comprising a base flange 1, a body portion generally indicated by numeral 2, a mouth end 3 having thecustomary rounded contour, and a relatively narrow neck 4 between the .mouth end and the body part. The mouth end, ofcourse, is apertured as indicated at 5, and in the illustrated instanceas seen in Fig. 5, this apertureis preferably in the form of a cross.

With reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the nipple is provided with a rib 6, preferably integral with the molded nipple, which extends radially over the upper face of the base flange Ll,` downwardly over the edge of the flange, inwardly over the bottom of the flange, and upwardly inside the nipple to a point well within the body part 2. This rib, of course, isfor the purpose of providing adequate ventilation for the bottle during the feeding. operation. With reference now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that at evenly spaced points the base ange 1 is preferably provided with a pair of edge ribs 7 -7, extending vertically only across the edge of the base flange, and these ribs 7 7 are for the purpose of equalizing the circumference o f the base so that the nipple may`readily be placed in proper position within the cap for a' large or wide mouth nursing bottle. The equalizing ribs 7--7 are not essential to the effective operation of the nipple, but merely facilitate positioning of the nipple in a wide mouth bottle cap.

One of the particular features of construction of the instant invention resides in the provision of annular shoulders or ribs 8 and 9 on the external side of the nipple, the molding and provision of these ribs providing annular lines or regions of weakness 10 and 1l at the inside edges of the ribs 8 and 9. In other words, the annular portions 10 and 11 define the regions where the wall of the nipple is thinnest and Weakest. Between these annular lines of weakness 10 and 11 and theneck 4,

the body is thickened materially as indicated at l2 so that the nipple, when in use, will not bend any but a negligible extent between the outermost line of weakness y10 and the very tip of the mouth end 3.

Notwithstanding the deviations from'a smooth contour on the external side of the nipple,'it will be especially noted that the inside of the nipple is smooth, there Patented` May 31, 1955.

being no shoulders, undercuts, grooves, or any other location where bacteria might breed and which cannot readily and easily be thoroughly cleansed. That is quite apparent from the showing in Figs 3, 4 and 5, where the inside contour of the nipple, although it may increase in diameter at various points, nevertheless is completely smooth throughout.

As stated above, the nipple may be used on either small or large mouth bottles. In Fig. 3 I have shown the nipple attached over the neck 13 of a small mouth nursing bottle 14, and the lower normally cylindrical portion of the body part 2 is bulged out as indicated at 15 where it is stretched over the lip 16 of the bottle. It will be noted that when the nipple is so mounted, and it may readily be so mounted by simply grasping the base flange 1 and pulling it over the bottle neck, the rib 6 extending upwardly inside the body part provides proper and adequate venting for the bottle during nui;- lng.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated the nipple associated with a wide mouth bottle 17 provided with a centrally apertured screw threaded cap 18. In this instance, the body part of the nipple is inserted through the aperture in the cap 18 with the base tiange 1 inside the cap where it may rest on the upper edge of the bottle. When the cap is tightened down upon the bottle, the nipple is iirm- 1y held in position. In this instance, the outer portion of the vent rib 6 functions to properly vent the bottle during nursing. In many Cases, the cap may be tightened tightly during storage of the bottle prior to use, but when the bottle is in use it may be necessary to release the cap a partial turn in order to effect the proper venting. This may be done, of course, to insure venting without any danger of leakage of fluid between the bottle and the cap.

The operation of the present invention is extremely simple and highly effective. The nipple may be mounted on either type of nursing bottle, as seen in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, and after being so mounted the nipple has a movement equivalent to that of a universal joint without any danger of clogging the llow through the nipple. Looking at Fig. 2, I have endeavored to indicate in dotted lines as well as full lines the manner in which the nipple may be bent or contorted during use, while still in a comfortable position in the childs mouth, and without twisting the childs mouth. The showing in Fig. 2 is not to the extreme extent, but what might be termed substantially a half way showing, since the nipple may be bent at a full right angle without blocking the ow of fluid. It will be noted that when the childs head turns relatively to t the bottle, the nipple breaks at the lines of weakness 10 and 11, and as seen in the right hand portion of Fig. 2, the shoulder 8 has passed down inside the shoulder 9. The nipple does not bend any more than a negligible amount elsewhere, and the bending at the lines of weakness can never block the llow of food through the nipple. The nipple may be bent to the fullest extent possible with the mouth end 3 still in the childs mouth, and the child is comfortable, the nipple adjusts itself to the mouth, and the child is getting a full quantity of food all the time. With a nipple of the character of that shown herein, it is even extremely difficult for the child to block the ow of liquid through the nipple by biting, since the nipple will not bend in the neck region, as is the case with nipples now appearing on the market, but can only be radially compressed in that region.

Obviously, the instant invention should cost no more to manufacture than any other type of nipple, is satisfactorily durable, and highly sanitary. Clearly the instant invention stimulates more peaceful nursing, better nutrition, and lessens the burden upon the mother.

It Will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing; from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a nipple for nursing bottles, an annular flangelike base, a normally straight body portion projecting outwardly from said base, and a mouth portion, there being a pair of spaced lines of weakness in said body portion where the nipple wall is thinner than elsewhere to denne lines of bend when the nipple is in use.

2. In a nipple for nursing bottles, a body portion, and a mouth portion, there being a pair of spaced lines of weakness in said body portion Where the nipple Wall is thinner than elsewhere, said lines of weakness being separated by abrupt annular shoulders on the external side of the nipple wall.

3. In a flexible nipple for nursing bottles, a body portion including a cylindrical lower part and an inwardly tapering upper part, a mouth portion connecting with the upper end of said tapering part, and a plurality of lines of weakness in the wall of said tapering part adjacent its junction with said cylindrical part.

4. in a nexible nipple for nursing bottles, a at laterally extending annular base flange, a body part, a mouth part, and a vent rib at one point only on said base ilange extending radially therearound over both outside faces and upwardly to a point inside said body part whereby the nipple is usable on both narrow and wide mouth bottles, and an annular line of weakness in said body part outward of any bottle contacting area.

5. In a nipple for nursing bottles, a body portion, a mouth portion, there being a pair of spaced lines of weakness in said body portion where the nipple wall is thinner than elsewhere, said lines of weakness being separated by abrupt annular shoulders on the external side of the nipple wall, and the interior of the nipple being smooth throughout and free of cracks or abrupt shoulders.

6. In a flexible nipple for nursing bottles of both the narrow and wide mouth types, a flat annular base flange having a central opening, a hollow body part interiorly smooth and free of cracks and abrupt shoulders extending outwardly from said ilange with the inner face of the body coinciding with the wall of the opening in the base ange, a mouth portion on said body part, an external configuration of said body part solely dening an annular line of weakness where the nipple may bend during use, and a radial vent bead at one point only on said flange overlying both faces thereof and extending upwardly along the inside of said body part sufficiently to vent a narrow mouth bottle.

7. In a ilexible nipple for nursing bottles, a base flange, a body part, a mouth part, and a vent rib extending radially entirely around said base flange and at one point only thereon and extending upwardly into said body part sufficiently to vent a narrow mouth nursing bottle, and equalizing ribs at spaced intervals on the circumferential edge of said base ange.

S. In a llexible nipple for nursing bottles, a base ilange, a hollow body part projecting from said ilange, a mouth part on said body part, and a pair of adjacent externally defined annular shoulders on said body part inside said mouth part and outward of any bottle enga ging part, the wall of the entire nipple being weaker at the bases of said shoulders than elsewhere to define annular bend lines where the nipple may bend during use without blocking the flow of liquid therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,344,760 Goddard June 29, 1920 1,541,330 Decker June 9, 1925 1,666,772 Campobasso et al. Apr. 17, 1928 2,238,827 Schmid Apr. l5, 1941 2,520,157 Little Aug. 29, 1950 2,588,069 Allen Mar. 4, 1952 

